U.S. patent number 3,739,331 [Application Number 05/159,989] was granted by the patent office on 1973-06-12 for logging-while-drilling apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mobil Oil Corporation. Invention is credited to John K. Godbey, Daniel E. Hawk, Vasel R. Slover, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,739,331 |
Godbey , et al. |
June 12, 1973 |
LOGGING-WHILE-DRILLING APPARATUS
Abstract
An improved logging-while-drilling apparatus comprising a drill
collar having a logging-while-drilling tool therein. The tool has a
turbinelike, rotary valve which opens and closes at a rate to
generate a pressure wave signal in the drilling fluid
representative of a measured downhole condition. The tool includes
means to adjust the gap between the rotor and stator of the valve
to thereby adjust the strength of the signal thus generated. A
sleeve of wear resistant material is provided in the collar
adjacent the valve to reduce erosion caused by the drilling
fluid.
Inventors: |
Godbey; John K. (Dallas,
TX), Hawk; Daniel E. (Duncanville, TX), Slover, Jr.;
Vasel R. (Irving, TX) |
Assignee: |
Mobil Oil Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22574999 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/159,989 |
Filed: |
July 6, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
367/142 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
47/20 (20200501); E21B 47/18 (20130101); G03G
15/605 (20130101); E21B 47/24 (20200501) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
47/18 (20060101); E21B 47/12 (20060101); G03G
15/00 (20060101); G01v 001/40 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/18NC,18LD,18P
;181/.5AG ;166/113 ;318/345 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Engle; Samuel W.
Assistant Examiner: Moskowitz; N.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A logging-while-drilling tool comprising:
a housing adapted to be positioned in a drill string of an earth
drilling apparatus wherein a drilling fluid which is circulated
through the drill string will flow around said housing;
a rotary valve positioned on said housing so that at least a
portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will
flow through said valve whereby a pressure wave signal will be
generated in the drilling fluid as said valve opens and closes in
response to a downhole condition measured by said tool, said valve
comprising:
a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a shaft extending
from said housing;
a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when
aligned with said openings in said rotor allow flow through said
valve and when misaligned effectively block flow through said
openings in said rotor; and
means for adjusting the gap between said rotor and said stator.
2. The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 1 wherein said means
for adjusting said gap comprises:
cooperating means on said shaft and said rotor for affixing said
rotor to said shaft at different positions along the longitudinal
axis of said shaft.
3. The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 1 wherein said means
for adjusting said gap comprises:
cooperating means on said stator and said housing for affixing said
stator to said housing at different positions along the
longitudinal axis of said housing.
4. The logging-while-drilling tool of claim 3 wherein said
cooperating means comprises:
mating threads on said stator and said housing.
5. A logging-while-drilling apparatus comprising:
a conduit adapted to be connected into a drill string of an earth
drilling apparatus;
a logging-while-drilling tool positioned within said conduit, said
tool comprising:
a housing;
a rotary valve on said housing positioned so that at least a
portion of any drilling fluid flowing through the drill string will
flow therethrough, said valve comprising:
a rotor having openings therethrough mounted on a shaft extending
from said housing;
a stator on said housing having openings therethrough which when
aligned with said openings in said rotor allow flow through said
valve and when misaligned effectively block flow through said
openings in said rotor;
means for adjusting the gap between said rotor and said stator;
and
wear resistant means on the wall of said conduit at least along
that portion which is adjacent said valve.
6. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 5 wherein said
wear resistant means comprises:
a sleeve of material having a resistance to wear greater than that
of the conduit wall.
7. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 6 wherein:
said wear resistant material is comprised of titanium carbide
particles in a tool steel matrix.
8. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 6 wherein said
means for adjusting said gap comprises:
cooperating means on said shaft and said rotor for affixing said
rotor to said shaft at different positions along the longitudinal
axis of said shaft.
9. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 6 wherein said
means for adjusting said gap comprises:
cooperating means on said stator and said housing for affixing said
stator to said housing at different positions along the
longitudinal axis of said housing.
10. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 9 wherein said
cooperating means comprises:
mating threads on said stator and said housing.
11. The logging-while-drilling apparatus of claim 10 wherein:
those surfaces of said valve which are exposed to drilling fluid
are covered with wear resistant material.
Description
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to means for increasing the
operational life of a logging-while-drilling tool and more
particularly relates to a logging-while-drilling tool which
includes means for adjusting the strength of the signal generated
by the tool and means which compensates for certain wear caused by
the erosive effects of the drilling fluid.
The desirability of a system which is able to measure downhole
drilling parameters and/or formation characteristics and transmit
them to the surface while actual drilling of an earth well is being
carried out has long been recognized. Several such systems have
been proposed and are commonly referred to as
"logging-while-drilling" systems. In logging-while-drilling
systems, one of the major problems exists in finding a means for
telemetering the information from a downhole location to the
surface and having it arrive in a meaningful condition.
In this regard, it has been proposed to telemeter the desired
information by means of a pressure wave signal generated in and
transmitted through the circulating mud system normally associated
with rotary drilling operations. The pressure wave signal which is
representative of a particular piece of desired information is
generated in the mud downhole near the bit by a generating means or
tool and the wave travels up the hole through the mud to a signal
processor at the surface. One logging-while-drilling system
utilizing this technique of telemetry is disclosed and fully
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,656 to John K. Godbey, issued Mar.
14, 1967.
In a logging-while-drilling tool of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,309,656, a turbinelike, rotary valve is positioned in the
circulating mud path near the drill bit. A motor in the tool is
energized in response to a measured piece of information to open
and close the valve at a rate producing a pressure wave in the mud
which is representative of said information. This pressure wave
must have sufficient signal strength when it is generated for it to
survive the inherent attenuation it undergoes in reaching the
surface. Since attenuation is dependent on the distance the wave
has to travel, signals from greater depths must be generated at
greater strengths than those generated at lesser depths.
The turbinelike valve mentioned above is comprised of a stator and
a rotor, each having openings therethrough which when aligned allow
drilling mud to flow through the valve. When the openings are
misaligned, flow therethrough is temporarily, partially blocked.
The rate at which the valve opens and closes generates a defined
pressure wave signal in the mud. The strength of the signal thus
generated is dependent upon two important properties of the valve,
these being "gap" and "bypass." Gap is defined as the distance
between the bottom of the rotor and the top of the stator. Bypass
is defined as that area between the outer circumferential perimeter
of the rotor and the wall of the conduit in which the tool is
positioned; the diameter of the stator of the valve being
essentially equal to the inside diameter of the conduit.
Due to the position of the valve, the mud stream first passes
through the openings in the rotor and then through the openings in
the stator. It can be seen from the above definitions that the gap
and the bypass of the valve determine the minimum area which is
available for flow when the valve is in a closed position. It is
this minimum area which inherently determines the strength of the
generated signal.
It would be desirable to maintain both gap and bypass at a minimum
in order to generate a signal having maximum strength regardless of
what depth the tool is operating. However, other factors are
present which have to be considered in order to provide a
logging-while-drilling tool having an operational life sufficient
to find widespread application in drilling operations. One such
factor involves the peak torque loads which are imposed on the
valve as it continuously rotates between its open and closed
positions. These opposing torque loads increase substantially as
the gap decreases so if the gap becomes too small, vibrations
caused by these torques become critical. Also, due to the erosive
nature of the drilling fluid and the extreme pressures involved,
the operational life of the valve, itself, is adversely affected as
the gap decreases.
It follows that in order to reduce unwanted vibrations and to
increase the operational life of the valve, the gap should be
enlarged to a maximum value but one which is still capable of
generating a signal of desired strength. However, to enlarge the
gap and still maintain the necessary minimum area, the bypass must
be decreased. As the bypass decreases, serious erosion of the
conduit wall adjacent the bypass normally takes place. This erosion
of the conduit wall effectively increases the bypass which, in
turn, decreases the strength of the signal being generated by the
valve.
Therefore, to improve the operational life of such
logging-while-drilling tools, means should be provided in the tool
for protecting vulnerable areas of the valve and the conduit from
excessive erosion. Also, means should be provided to adjust the gap
of the valve to further compensate for certain erosive wear of the
valve and the conduit so that desired signal strength may be
maintained throughout the operational life of the tool.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides an improved logging-while-drilling
apparatus of the type described above which includes a means for
adjusting the gap between the rotor and stator of the signaling
valve thereof so that wear to critical areas of said apparatus can
be compensated for to maintain a desired signal strength. Further,
the present invention includes the provision of wear resistant
material to exposed areas of the apparatus to extend the
operational life thereof.
Structurally, the logging-while-drilling apparatus comprises a
drill collar which is adapted to be connected into and form a
portion of a drill string of an earth drilling apparatus. A
logging-while-drilling tool having a housing is positioned in the
collar. A turbinelike, rotary valve is carried by the housing and
is positioned so that at least a portion of the drilling fluid
flowing through the drill string will flow through said valve. The
valve is comprised of a rotor and a stator. The rotor is affixed to
a shaft extending from the housing and is rotated thereby at a
speed determined by a measured downhole condition. The stator is
affixed to the housing. In one embodiment, the stator is threaded
on the housing so that the stator may be moved along the
longitudinal axis of the housing to adjust the gap between the
rotor and the stator. In another embodiment, means are provided
where the rotor may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the
shaft to adjust said gap.
A sleeve of wear resistant material is provided within the collar
adjacent the valve to resist erosion caused by the drilling mud and
to thereby extend the operational life of the
logging-while-drilling apparatus. By reducing erosion of the collar
wall adjacent the valve, the inherent increase in the bypass
between the rotor and wall is retarded. Further, wear resistant
material is provided for those surfaces of the valve which are
exposed to erosive effects of the drilling fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The actual construction, operation, and the apparent advantages of
the invention will be better understood by referring to the
drawings in which like numerals identify like parts and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation of a rotary drilling apparatus
including in vertical section a well containing a drill string in
which the present invention is employed;
FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation, partly in section, of a portion of
the drill string of FIG. 1, having a logging-while-drilling tool
mounted therein which utilizes the present invention;
FIG. 3. is a detailed sectional view of one modification of the
upper portion of FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of another modification of the
upper portion of FIG. 2 illustrating another embodiment of the
present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along section line 5--5 of FIG.
3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses the
present invention as used in a logging-while-drilling system which
is incorporated in a rotary drilling apparatus. A derrick 21 is
disposed over a well 22 being formed in the earth 23 by rotary
drilling. A drill string 24 is suspended within the well and has a
drill bit 27 at its lower end and a kelly 28 at its upper end. A
rotary table 29 cooperates with kelly 28 to rotate string 24 and
bit 27. A swivel 33 is attached to the upper end of kelly 28 which
in turn is supported by hook 32 from a traveling block (not shown).
This arrangement not only supports the drill string 24 in an
operable position within well 22 but also forms a rotary connection
between the source of circulating drilling fluid, such as mud, and
the drill string 24. It should be understood that "mud" as used
throughout this disclosure is intended to cover those fluids
normally used in rotary drilling operations.
The pump 36 transfers drilling mud from a source, such as pit 34,
through desurger 37 into mudline 38. Desurger 37 is adapted to
reduce the pulsating effect of pump 36 as is well known in the art.
The mud flows through mudline 38, flexible hose 39, swivel 33,
drill string 24, and exits through openings (not shown) in drill
bit 27 to pass outwardly into well 22. The mud then circulates
upward carrying drill cuttings with it through the annulus between
the well and drill string 24 to the surface of the earth 23. At the
surface, well head 41 is secured to casing 40 which is cemented in
the well 22. Pipe 42 is connected to casing 40 for returning the
mud to pit 34.
As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a
logging-while-drilling tool 46 is located in drill collar 26 which
forms a part of the lower end of drill string 24 near bit 27. Tool
46 has a motor-actuated rotary valve which periodically interrupts
at least a portion of the drilling fluid flowing through the valve
to thereby generate a pressure wave in the fluid which is
representative of a measured downhole condition. This is the type
of logging-while-drilling tool which is disclosed and described in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,656 to John K. Godbey. The present invention is
directed to improving the operational life and performance of the
valve. However, in order to fully understand and appreciate the
present invention, a brief description of the entire tool 46 will
be helpful.
A transducer means which is capable of measuring a desired downhole
condition and converting the measurement to an electrical signal is
positioned downhole on or near tool 46. As illustrated, transducer
means 54, e.g., a strain gauge, is positioned on drill collar 26 to
measure the downhole weight on bit 27. The signal from transducer
means 54 is applied to electronic package 53 which is sealed in
compartment 48 of tool housing 46a. For an example of such an
electronic package, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,656. Circuitry in
package 53, in response to the signal from means 54, allows a
defined amount of power from electric power generator 50 in
compartment 49 of housing 46a to flow to the variable speed,
electric motor 55 in compartment 47 of housing 46a. A turbine 52
driven by the mud flow rotates generator 50 to produce electrical
power. Motor 55, in response to the amount of electricity passing
through package 53, will drive rotor 61 of signal generating valve
60 through gear train 56 at the rotational speed necessary to
generate a pressure wave signal in the mud which is representative
of the measured condition.
Referring now to the more detailed representation in FIG. 3, signal
generating valve 60 is comprised of a rotor 61 and a stator 62.
Rotor 61 is fixed on shaft 63 of gear train 56 by means of tapered
bushing 64 and nut 65. Shaft 63 is journaled in housing 46a by
means of bearings 66. Seal 67 around shaft 63 seals the interior of
housing 46a against the influx of drill mud. Preferably, both rotor
61 and stator 62 contain the same number of identical spaced
opening or slots, 61a, 62a, respectively (FIG. 5), each of the
slots being of substantially the same area. Value 60 is in an open
position when the slots are aligned and is in a closed position
when the slots are completely misaligned. When valve 60 is in a
closed position, the only flow through the valve is that which
passes through gap 70 and bypass 71. Gap 70, as can best be seen in
FIG. 3, is that distance between the bottom surface of rotor 61 and
the top surface of stator 62. Bypass 71 (FIGS. 3 and 5) is that
distance between the outer periphery of rotor 61 and the wall of
the conduit adjacent the rotor. The outer diameter of stator 62 is
effectively the same as the interior diameter of the conduit.
The rate at which valve 60 opens and closes determines the
frequency of the pressure wave signal thus generated in the
drilling mud, but the strength of the signal is directly related to
the minimum area as defined by gap 70 and bypass 71 which is
available for flow when the valve is closed. As this area
decreases, the signal strength increases. Since a strong signal is
desired, this minimum area should be as small as possible. However,
when gap 70 becomes too small, unwanted vibrations occur as valve
60 rotates between its open and closed position. These vibrations
adversely affect the signal being generated by the valve. Further,
severe erosion of rotor 61 and stator 62 normally takes place as
gap 70 is reduced which in turn reduces the overall operational
life of tool 46. Therefore, it becomes desirable to maintain gap 70
as large as possible and still maintain the minimum area necessary
for the generation of a signal having sufficient strength to reach
the surface from the depth at which tool 46 is operating.
In order to increase gap 70 and still maintain a desired minimum
area, bypass 71 has to be decreased. When this is done, erosion of
the wall of the drill collar 26 in which tool 46 is positioned may
become critical in the area surrounding rotor 61. The present
invention provides a means whereby gap 70 can be relatively large
at shallow depths of drilling operations where the generated
signals can be of lesser strength and then be decreased by
adjustment for generating signals of greater strength as the
drilling depths increase. Providing a relatively large gap at the
shallower depth and decreasing the gap when it becomes necessary to
increase signal strength substantially reduces the rate of erosion
of the valve and accordingly extends the operational life of tool
46. Also, by making gap 70 adjustable, the gap can be decreased as
normal wear inherently increases bypass 71.
In accordance with the present invention, one means for adjusting
gap 70 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, stator 62 is
threaded on its interior surface to mate with threads on housing
46a. It can been seen that stator 62 can be threaded towards or
away from rotor 61 thereby adjusting gap 70 to its desired value.
Set screw 75 is provided to lock stator 62 in its desired position.
By means of the cooperating threads on stator 62 and housing 46a,
gap 70 can be relatively large for operations at shallow depths and
then decreased for operations at greater depths. This adjustment
would normally be made while drill string 24 was removed from well
22 to change bit 27 as is well known in the art.
FIG. 4 discloses another embodiment of tool 46 having an
alternative means for adjusting gap 70. In this embodiment, rotor
161 is made to be adjustable on shaft 163. Shaft 163 has a reduced
integral portion 164 which extends from its upper end into
internally threaded recess 165 on rotor 161. Spacer 166 having a
smooth bore is positioned for free movement relative to portion 164
but is threaded on its outer surface to cooperate with the threads
in recess 165. It can be seen that the position of spacer 166
within recess 165 will determine how far rotor 161 will receive
shaft 163 and will thereby determine gap 70. Locking nuts 167, 168,
and protective cap 169 secure rotor 161 on shaft 163 in its desired
position for rotation therewith.
As stated above, when gap 70 is reduced, erosion of the conduit
wall adjacent valve 60 becomes a problem. If unchecked, this
erosion inherently increases bypass 71 so that the minimum area
defined by bypass 71 and set gap 70 will increase, thereby
effectively reducing the strength of the signal being generated by
valve 60. Further, this erosion can ruin the relatively expensive
drill collar 26 to the extent that the entire collar will need to
be replaced during drilling operations.
In accordance with the present invention, sleeve 80 of ware
resistant material is positioned in the bore of collar 26 adjacent
valve 60. This material is one which exhibits substantially greater
resistance to wear than that exhibited by collar 26 so that the
operational life of tool 46 is extended. An example of a wear
resistant material which exhibits a relatively long life, e.g., 100
hours or more under normal operating conditions of valve 60, is one
having 45 percent titanium carbide particles in a tool steel matrix
and is commercially available under the trade name "Ferro-Tic." By
replacing only sleeve 80 when it becomes unduly worn, a single
collar 26 can be used throughout normal drilling operations.
Since wear also occurs to the exposed surfaces of both rotor 61 and
stator 62, it is desirable to protect these surfaces with wear
resistant material. For example, caps of wear resistant material,
e.g., Ferro-Tic, may be screwed or otherwise secured to the exposed
surfaces of the rotor and stator to substantially extend the
operational life of valve 60.
* * * * *